Peyton Manning no longer in play for Dolphins

QB search turns to Matt Flynn

March 16, 2012|By Izzy Gould and Omar Kelly, Sun Sentinel

Peyton Manning informed the Miami Dolphins on Thursday that he will not sign a free-agent contract with the team, according to a source. A source also said that despite previous reports to the contrary, Dolphins owner Steve Ross did visit with Manning.

Reports that former Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino got Miami an interview with Manning are "overstated."

Manning was released recently by the Indianapolis Colts after 14 seasons. He visited with the Dolphins this week, and was considering Miami as well as the Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans.

The Cardinals issued a statement Friday saying they are no longer in contention to sign Manning.

"We've said it many times: if there's an opportunity to make our team better, we'll explore it," Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "We view the potential of adding a first-ballot Hall of Fame quarterback as one of those. The organization quickly put together an aggressive plan to go after it. We're proud of that and feel very strongly about what we have to offer as a team and as an organization. In the end, it didn't work out, but from our perspective it was very positive and we certainly don't have any regrets about it."

The Dolphins turned their focus to a pursuit of free-agent quarterback Matt Flynn, who is scheduled to visit Miami this weekend. Flynn visited with the Seattle Seahawks this week, and his arrival in South Florida is possible at any time.

The Dolphins had been in contact with Flynn, but kept their courtship soft while still in pursuit of Manning.

Flynn, who worked with the Dolphins' first-year coach Joe Philbin in Green Bay, is widely considered to be the top free-agent quarterback available other than Manning.

Flynn, drafted as a seventh-round pick out of LSU in 2008, has played all four seasons of his NFL career with the Packers. Last season, he started one of the five games he played in as a backup to Aaron Rogers. Flynn completed 33 of 49 passes for 518 yards, with six touchdowns and two interceptions.

If Flynn does not sign with Miami, the Dolphins could still opt to select a quarterback in the NFL draft, with the eighth pick. Reports that the San Francisco 49ers are also in pursuit of Manning could make pursuit of free-agent quarterback Alex Smith an option.

Anderson visits

Free-agent defensive end Mark Anderson visited with the Dolphins on Friday, according to a team spokesman.

Anderson played for the New England Patriots last season, the seventh of his NFL career. In 16 games, he had one start and a total of 18 tackles, including 10 sacks.

Reports out of Boston indicate talks between Anderson and the Patriots stalled, leading to his latest visit. Whether Anderson is using a visit to the Dolphins, an AFC East rival of the Patriots, as negotiating leverage is unclear.

Anderson was used in a rotation-type role in New England. One of his better games came in December, a 41-23 victory over the Denver Broncos. Anderson had three tackles, including two sacks of Tim Tebow, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Signings confirmed

The Dolphins confirmed Friday they have signed offensive lineman Artis Hicks to a contract and tight end Jeron Mastrud to an exclusive-rights contract.

Hicks has 71 career starts in his 10 seasons, which included stops in Philadelphia, Minnesota, Washington and Cleveland.